RODLE enters the CASTLE LAB from S. R., glancing about (suspicious/confused).
RODLE: Okay, something's different.
GERP and ZAX are playing MONOPOLY on the low coffee table while sitting on their knees, PADWYN sitting on the couch, painting her nails with a DAY GLO ORANGE PAINT MARKER.
GERP: [glances up] What makes you say that?
ZAX: [moving his piece] Redding Railroad!
GERP: [looking back] Dang it.
RODLE walks further into the ROOM, looking at everything (suspicious).
RODLE: First of all, I appear to be following stage directions.
ZAX: Big deal.
RODLE: ...and second, it's impossible to confuse who's talking.
EVERYONE except PADWYN looks at RODLE as if he's on to something.
RODLE: [looking at AUDIENCE] ...and then there's those guys.
EVERYONE looks at AUDIENCE.
PADWYN goes back to doing her nails.
GERP: [leans over to RODLE, who has crouched next to him, still looking at
AUDIENCE, whispers:] How long have they been there?
RODLE: [whispers:] I don't know.
ZAX: (mildly annoyed) More importantly, what are we doing here?
GERP: [looking at him, still leaning next to RODLE] Whaaaat are you talking about?
RODLE: [pushes GERP out of RODLE'S face and back into GERP'S seat]
GERP: Oof!
ZAX: (exasperated) Why in the name of Elvis are we sitting around here dong nothing? I thought you guys were supposed to be 'saving the world', or something!
GERP and RODLE: [glance at each other, stare for a moment, then turn back to ZAX]
RODLE: Well, of course we're going to save the world.
GERP: We're working on it right now!
THE BASEMENT...
VELOCIRAPTOR MECH and BEAR MECH are playing FOOZE BALL.
THE CASTLE LAB...
GERP: It's a very complicated, scientific process. You probably wouldn't understand.
ZAX: (sarcastic) Right.
GERP: (brightly) Yes.
RODLE: BUT ENOUGH FOOLING AROUND... [grabbing RODLE and dragging him towards the door by the collar] OUR SURLY COMRADE IS CORRECT. WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO WASTE! [heading downstairs, to THE BASEMENT]
ZAX: [glances at PADWYN and shrugs, standing and pulling on his SENSIBLE SHOES before following]
-beat-
PADWYN: [glances up] ... ... ... [sighs and stands, putting her marker away] Guys? Hey, guys! [chases after them out the door as the stage lights fade to black] Pay attention to me!
MEANWHILE, ELSEWHERE...
THE NARRATOR sits on a THRONE OF SKULLS, painting his nails with a BLACK SHARPIE.
THE NARRATOR: This is extremely uncomfortable.
EX-KING BULP: [kneeling before THE NARRATOR, acting as a human FOOTSTOOL] Trade you.
THE NARRATOR: [glancing down at EX-KING BULP] Nope.
EX-KING BULP: [sighs]
THE NARRATOR: Now, onto business.
EX-KING BULP: Finally.
THE NARRATOR: No, don't get up. [plants his feet more firmly]
EX-KING BULP: Oof!
THE NARRATOR: -I simply meant that I think it's time we get the plot rolling. I have a little idea I think will work just fine.
EX-KING BULP: (strained) [twisting his head to glare at THE NARRATOR] And what's that, pray tell?
THE NARRATOR: [smirking] And ruin the surprise? [laughs maniacally as the lights fade to black]
EX-KING BULP: Ending a scene inconclusively is bad writing.
THE NARRATOR: SHUT UP.